The word from the Panjiva research team: trade activity experienced a significant increase from December to January. Specifically, the number of waterborne shipments coming into the U.S. experienced a 12% month-over-month increase from December to January. In years past, we typically saw declines from December to January (-3% from December ‘07 to January ‘08, -2% from December ‘08 to January ‘09, and -3% from December ‘09 to January ‘10). However, last year, for the first time, we saw a significant increase (17%) from December to January.

The number of global manufacturers shipping to the U.S. went up 3% from December to January. December-to-January changes in previous years: +6% from December 2010 to January 2011, -5% from December 2009 to January 2010, -6% from December 2008 to January 2009, and -4% from December 2007 to January 2008.

Additional notes:

The percentage of significant manufacturers on the Panjiva Watch List declined slightly from 20% to 19%.

The percentage of significant buyers having done business with a Panjiva Watch List supplier in the preceding three months also decreased slightly from 27% to 26%.

Methodological notes:

Manufacturers that have suffered a 50% or greater decline in volume shipped to American customers in the most recent three month period, versus the same period a year ago, are on the Panjiva Watch List.

“Significant manufacturers” are companies that have sent 10 or more shipments to American customers within the last year. As of the end of January, there were 95,054 significant manufacturers.

“Significant buyers” are U.S. companies that have received 10 or more shipments from overseas manufacturers within the last year. As of the end of January, there were 81,409 significant buyers.